This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Mozambique. To commemorate this milestone, ChinAfrica spoke with Maria Gustava, Mozambique’s ambassador to China, about the state of bilateral relations, China-Africa cooperation, and key developments shaping the global landscape. The following is an edited excerpt from the interview.  ChinAfrica: Over the past five decades, what, in your view, are the key milestones in the development of China-Mozambique bilateral relations?  Maria Gustava: Mozambique and China share a special and long-standing relationship of friendship,…

From the 50,000 pieces of Changsha Kiln ceramics recovered from the Tang Dynasty shipwreck “Black Stone” to today’s weekly cargo flights between China and Africa, Changsha’s trade with the African continent has spanned over a thousand years. This historic cultural city is playing an increasingly vital role in China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, with a spirit of innovation and openness.  History has borne witness to this cross-temporal friendship. Over a millennium ago, Changsha Kiln ceramics were already being exported to…

Joaquim Chissano, former President of Mozambique, has said that Africa has gained much from China’s economic development, particularly due to its reform and opening up policy. China inspires African nations in their quest for national renewal and creates new development prospects through mutually beneficial cooperation. Since the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2000 and the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, exchanges between the two sides have intensified. Platforms such as the China-Africa Economic…

As Africa pushes forward its industrialisation process, the Chinese-built industrial parks and free trade zones have assumed special significance as drivers of the region’s industrial development and job creation. At the same time, Africa is also learning from China’s successful experience in industrialisation.  What are the ways in which China and African countries can deepen industrial cooperation? What are the roadblocks to such cooperation and the process of industrialisation in Africa?   Officials, scholars and business representatives from China and Africa…

The year 2023 marked the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the 10th year since Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Africa in 2013, his first foreign visit after taking office, during which he proposed the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith for China’s Africa policy and the principle of upholding justice while pursuing shared interests. It also marked the opening chapter of China-Africa joint efforts towards modernisation following the 20th National Congress of…

For much of the past 20 years, the Chinese economic engagement with Africa could be summarised in two words: investment and trade. During this period, China’s trade figures with African nations have been remarkable. For instance, in 2022, China-Africa trade surged to a record high of $282 billion, highlighting how China’s business cooperation with the continent of Africa continues to rise.   Statistics from the General Administration of Customs of China show that in the first four months of 2023, rising…